Travel warnings hit Thai hotel business

Warnings against travelling to South-east Asia issued by many Western governments following the Bali bombing are damaging tourism in Thailand, according to the Thai Hotels Association.

Cancellations of 32,000 hotel roomnights this winter will cost the industry at least Bt120m (£1.7m), the THA's secretary general, Prakit Chinamornpong, said.

He said: "This is not because of the Bali bombings, but because of the travel warnings. We feel it's unfair. There's no ground to think there's any greater risk of terrorism in Thailand compared to anywhere else in the world."

He wants Western governments to lift the warnings, which have identified Phuket as a possible target of terrorism.

The Thai Tourist Authority has allocated Bt50m (£727,000) for PR activities overseas.

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 21-27 November 2002